“Nearly 170 years” whispers the wind around the Stephen Smith House at 645 Lafayette Street. Maybe you have passed by this very place. Perhaps you have even read the plaque summarizing Stephen Smith’s life. But did you know the Stephen Smith House was home to a key figure in the pre-Civil War Underground Railroad?
Stephen Smith’s story is remarkable. Born into slavery, he bravely bought his own freedom. By the 1840s and 1850s, Stephen Smith became one of the wealthiest Black men in America. He channeled his wealth into uplifting his community. Education programs flourished due to his generosity. Libraries and schools for free Blacks opened their doors because of him. Stephen Smith founded churches including the Cape May AME Church. He even established the first home for aged African Americans. His properties spanned Decatur, Mansion, and Jackson Streets. Some even sat near Congress Hall.
Stephen Smith and his close friend William Whipper owned a lucrative lumber and coal business in Pennsylvania. This business became an integral part of their freedom efforts. Large groups sought freedom in Pennsylvania coming from the slave state of Maryland. Their numbers were too great to escape by wagon or on foot. Smith and Whipper cleverly devised false ends to their railroad cars. They concealed people seeking freedom on their journey north.
Of course, Stephen Smith’s courageous actions made him a target. Racial attacks in Pennsylvania forced him to relocate. He first moved to Philadelphia and later to Cape May. Cape May wasn’t entirely safe either. The resort attracted abolitionists and southern planters alike. Despite the risks, Smith constructed his retreat which is the Stephen Smith House. He even opened a hotel next door. For just $8, African Americans from Philadelphia could enjoy beach vacations. Smith passed away in 1873.
The Stephen Smith House almost met its end in the 1960s. It was slated for demolition under Cape May City’s urban renewal plan. Thankfully, it was saved. Today, four siblings, the Hamptons, own the house. Their grandparents purchased it in 1932 from Smith’s grandniece. They are dedicated to preserving Stephen Smith’s legacy. Through grants and donations, they are working to restore the building. The Stephen Smith House will display artwork, furniture, and historic artifacts original to the home. It will be a testament to Smith’s incredible life. Take a moment to appreciate this place. The Stephen Smith House stands as a symbol of resilience, generosity, and the fight for freedom.